The yield of many crops, including field beans, is not only dependent on fertility and the absence of pests but also on pollination. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has this year informed farmers of estimates suggesting that they can greatly increase their yield and their profits by having beehives in their fields, even allowing for the usual fee for the service to the beekeeper.

There is no mention in Stephen Day's research paper on how plant odour changes affect bees and other pollinating insects, which would seem essential before persuading farmers to experiment blindly with this interesting technique.

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